The NBA Draft is a pivotal event for basketball fans, teams, and aspiring players, marking the moment when new talent joins the league. A common question that surfaces each year is, how many rounds in NBA Draft? As of the 2025 NBA Draft, which took place on June 25 and 26, the answer remains consistent: the draft consists of two rounds. This format, in place since 1989, shapes how teams build their rosters and has evolved to balance efficiency with opportunity. With the 2025 draft just concluded, let’s dive into the latest details about the two-round structure, its significance, and recent changes that have kept fans buzzing.
The Two-Round NBA Draft Structure
Since 1989, the NBA Draft has been streamlined to two rounds, a significant reduction from its earlier days when drafts could stretch to 21 rounds. Each of the league’s 30 teams typically receives one pick per round, resulting in 60 total selections. However, in recent years, including 2025, the total number of picks has occasionally dipped below 60 due to penalties. For instance, the 2024 draft had only 58 picks because the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns forfeited second-round selections for violating tampering rules. The 2025 draft followed a similar pattern, with 59 picks due to a forfeited selection by the New York Knicks following an investigation into Jalen Brunson’s 2022 free agency signing.
The two-round format ensures a focused selection process. Teams prioritize top talent in the first round, where picks are often lottery-determined for non-playoff teams, while the second round offers opportunities to uncover hidden gems or trade assets. This structure contrasts with other major sports leagues, like the NFL’s seven rounds or MLB’s 20, reflecting the NBA’s smaller roster sizes—typically 15 players per team, plus up to three two-way contracts.
Why Only Two Rounds?
The decision to limit the NBA Draft to two rounds stems from practical and strategic considerations. Before 1989, drafts could be exhaustive, with teams selecting players well beyond realistic roster needs. The reduction to two rounds, finalized through an agreement with the National Basketball Players Association, aimed to give undrafted players more flexibility to sign with any team as free agents. This change also reflects the NBA’s smaller roster sizes compared to other sports, where minor league systems accommodate larger drafts. In basketball, the G League serves as a developmental league, but its rosters are limited, making a shorter draft more logical.
The two-round setup promotes parity. The draft lottery, which determines the first four picks, gives struggling teams better odds at landing top prospects like Cooper Flagg, the consensus No. 1 pick in 2025 by the Dallas Mavericks. The remaining picks follow the reverse order of the previous season’s records, ensuring weaker teams get early selections to rebuild.
Key Changes in the 2025 NBA Draft
The 2025 NBA Draft, held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the first round and ESPN’s Seaport District Studios for the second, continued the two-night format introduced in 2024. This change, splitting the rounds across June 25 and 26, allows teams more time to strategize between selections. First-round picks have five minutes between selections, while second-round picks have four, up from two minutes in prior years. This adjustment gives teams a chance to evaluate trade options and assess prospects more thoroughly, enhancing the draft’s strategic depth.
Key 2025 Draft Highlights:
- Total Picks: 59, due to the Knicks’ forfeited second-round pick.
- Top Pick: Duke’s Cooper Flagg, selected by the Dallas Mavericks, who defied 1.8% lottery odds.
- Notable Second-Rounders: Teams like the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks have a history of finding stars like Nikola Jokic (No. 41, 2014) in later rounds, keeping the second round relevant.
Impact of the Two-Round Format
The question of how many rounds in NBA Draft ties directly to its impact on team-building. The two-round structure forces teams to be selective, prioritizing high-impact players. First-round picks often secure guaranteed contracts, while second-rounders face tougher odds, often signing nonguaranteed or two-way deals. Yet, players like Giannis Antetokounmpo (No. 15, 2013) and Jokic prove that late picks can become superstars, making every selection valuable.
The two-night format has also boosted fan engagement. By spreading the draft across two days, the NBA creates a primetime spectacle, with the 2025 draft airing on ABC and ESPN. Social media buzzed with reactions from fans and players alike, especially around breakout prospects and surprise trades. The extended format gives teams and fans time to digest first-round outcomes before diving into the second round, where trades often dominate headlines.
Key Point Summary
- Rounds: The NBA Draft has two rounds, a format unchanged since 1989.
- Picks: Typically 60, but 59 in 2025 due to a forfeited pick.
- Format: Two-night event with five minutes between first-round picks and four minutes for second-round picks.
- Purpose: Balances team needs with player flexibility, promoting league parity.
Looking Ahead: Will the Format Change?
As the NBA evolves, discussions about tweaking the draft format occasionally surface. Some propose expanding to three rounds to mirror other leagues, but the small roster sizes and G League’s role make this unlikely. The two-night format, now in its second year, seems here to stay, as it enhances strategic flexibility and viewer engagement. For now, the answer to how many rounds in NBA Draft remains two, a structure that continues to shape the league’s future.
Stay tuned to the NBA’s official channels and social media for updates on the 2026 draft, and share your thoughts on this year’s picks in the comments below!